Interior of the Mosque, Brussa 1838

John Frederick Lewis made this artwork, "Interior of the Mosque, Brussa," using graphite. Lewis belonged to a generation of Orientalist painters who were fascinated by the Middle East, reflecting a broader cultural interest rooted in colonial expansion and the romanticization of ‘Eastern’ cultures. The image captures a moment of quiet contemplation, but it's essential to recognize the power dynamics inherent in its creation. Lewis, as a Western artist, frames the space and its inhabitants through a European lens. How do the people depicted here— in their postures of devotion—become subjects of observation and artistic interpretation? The mosque, adorned with calligraphy, is presented as a space of both serenity and exoticism. The identities and lived experiences of the individuals within the mosque are mediated through Lewis’s artistic vision and the expectations of his European audience. Consider how the spiritual and cultural significance of this place may be simplified or romanticized. Ultimately, the artwork invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural representation and the gaze, urging us to contemplate whose perspectives are centered and whose are marginalized.